Lari White’s Mother Shares Her Final Hours

Country singer-songwriter Lari White, best known for a string of hits in the '90s, died after a battle with cancer on Jan. 23, at the age of 52. On the day that she passed away, her mother, Yvonne, shared some final moments on the Caring Bridge website established to keep fans informed on her condition.

She began by assuring that Lari died at home surrounded by her loved ones. "Lari wanted to go home to the Holler to be with [husband] Chuck and their three amazing children … She was able to do that over the weekend, still on Hospice Care. She asked for two kinds of days: A Sunny Day, and a Rainy Day."

As it turned out, the singer got both of her days, described as only a mother can detail. "The Sabbath Day broke in the Holler with sunlight streaming through the windows, lighting up the very special sunflower arrangement for Lari on her dresser," noted her mom. "She had a day surrounded by an abundance of Love and Care, in her own bed, her own home she loved so.

"Monday she awoke to the sound of rain on her roof, a sound she always loved. When Lari was about 4, she was taking a walk down the sidewalk with her little umbrella, in the rain. One of our older neighbors came out to check on her, asking if I knew she was doing that, and Lari replied: 'Oh yes! My Mother allows me to take Rain Walks!'…and I did!.. The rest of her Life, we always laughed about 'Lari's Rain Walks.'"

White's mother continued to describe the last moments. "Last night all her Family-of-Origin circled round her bed, saying our goodbyes to Lari, loving her, praying, sending her messages of support and gratitude. Her Dad gave her his loving foot massage. Chuck and their three children joined with us, and it was such a comfort to all of us to be "Together Again" around Lari.

"Chuck and their children bathed her in the same love and care all night long they have given to her for four months. At 4:44 this morning, Lari peacefully took her 'Rain Walk.'"

White helmed a dynamic career over the past couple of decades most notably marked by the '90s Top 10 hits "That's My Baby," "Now I Know," and "That's How You Know." Her most recent project, the pair of EPs Old Friends and New Loves, was released in Feb. 2017 and marked her 25th anniversary as a recording artist. The sets feature appearances by Delbert McClinton, Suzy Bogguss and Lee Roy Parnell.